Julia Feld
Hello Neatorama readers! I'm thrilled to get to share my work with such a clever and cool group of internet-folk. I am a mixed-media artist specializing in vintage book carvings. I am a scientist by trade and have always enjoyed the visual elements of science (graphical representations of data, figures of theoretical models, diagrams of complex systems, etc). People often focus on the information these elements contain, rather than appreciating their aesthetics. I started carving books to draw attention to their beauty rather than their content. I have made carvings that display the illustrations the books contain as well as some that depict topographical landscapes and "specimen boxes" that hold paper butterflies
Some people give me grief about destroying old books, so I think it is important to make clear that I love books, too! Because of this, I only use books that are no longer appreciated for their content, and I never carve rare or new books. I've deliberately put down books (that would have made lovely carvings) if I think someone is likely to appreciate them intact. My favorite subjects are reference books that are several editions out of date, rescued from garage sales, free giveaways, and second-hand shops. Although most people aren't interested in these old books for the information they contain, carving them gives them a second chance to be of value. My weapons of choice are exacto knives, rotary cutters, tweezers, rulers, pliers, files, custom cut panes of glass, and lots of glue.
Some people give me grief about destroying old books, so I think it is important to make clear that I love books, too! Because of this, I only use books that are no longer appreciated for their content, and I never carve rare or new books. I've deliberately put down books (that would have made lovely carvings) if I think someone is likely to appreciate them intact. My favorite subjects are reference books that are several editions out of date, rescued from garage sales, free giveaways, and second-hand shops. Although most people aren't interested in these old books for the information they contain, carving them gives them a second chance to be of value. My weapons of choice are exacto knives, rotary cutters, tweezers, rulers, pliers, files, custom cut panes of glass, and lots of glue.
All About House Plants (detail)
Butterfly Specimen Box (detail)
Practical Standard Dictionary (detail)
Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary
Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary (detail)
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